Albany NY vs Bismarck ND — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Albany
53.0%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 74,146 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 3.6% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 3.2% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Bismarck
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Bismarck
38.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $71,089 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 38.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $373,227 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Bismarck
2037
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2037 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Bismarck
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, NY vs New York, NYAlbany, NY vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, NY vs Chicago, ILAlbany, NY vs Houston, TXAlbany, NY vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, NY vs Philadelphia, PA